Notes From Day Seven: The Eleven Commandments (Part 1)

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It's ironic that very many of us — including those with a long list of Canadian ancestors and those who have arrived more recently - know little about Christianity. The reason it is ironic is that Christianity has been arguably the greatest shaper of Canadian culture and conscience.

Consider the Canadian desire to include people on the margins and help those who are less fortunate. Canada prides itself in trying to assist struggling Aboriginal communities and to welcome refugees. It is impossible to imagine that this desire could have sprung up in the country without the widespread influence of the Christian church which, until somewhere around the 1950s, held the respect and attention of nearly every Canadian. You might not have been a member of a church, but you would have taken its views and presence in your community with some seriousness. Until recently most Canadians heard someone preaching or teaching Jesus' command to "love your neighbour as you love yourself" every week.

It is very common for me to speak with at least several people each day whose knowledge of the church is based on what they have heard about the scandals plaguing the Roman Catholic community, or on stereotypical portrayals of southern U.S. television preachers, or on a remote experience of going to church once with their grandparents. Chances are high that this describes you.

Perhaps a place to reboot some interaction with the Christian faith is to consider some of the main teachings of Jesus. There is what I call the Eleven Commandments. They are a kind of superseding of the much older Ten Commandments of the Jewish and Christian Bible, which Jesus, being a devout Jew, knew by heart. However, he offered a more engaging take on God's commandments, a take that, among other things, helped open the way to God for the non-Jewish world.

Here are the first six. I plan to introduce the rest next week. For those who want to check my accuracy, take a look at chapters five through seven in Matthew's version of Jesus' life, times and teaching.

Not to murder is good. But also say no to the roots of murder. Hatred. Anger. Jealousy. Better yet, cut them all off at the pass by working at reconciliation with your friend or family member when significant disagreements arise.

No to easy adultery and divorce. Instead, learn how to respect women and men in their relationships - and in yours. Respect the commitments others have made to each other. Make your own commitments of love and marriage with care. And do everything in your power (and more) to keep those commitments.

No flashy promises with impressive sounding vows. Instead, just be a trustworthy person all the time. Plain and simple. Anything else comes from the dark side, from Satan.

No revenge when people take from you what is not theirs to take. Instead look for ways to surprise them and put them off their guard — in a good way. For example, give more than is asked of you whenever you can. Disable the cycle of revenge.

Don't just love your friends. Love your enemies, too. If we can start living like that and get others to join us, it will mean the end of violence and wars.

Be generous. But never publicly for show. Just do it because that's what God wants. And guess what: You might not have the praise of people, but God will praise and reward you.

Next week: Jesus on prayer, possessions, pre-judging others, and some other things that don't start with a 'p' — unless I write something about Valentine's Day, in which case, part two will be the week after next.

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